Results of Osaka city's snap election Sunday suggest that Toru Hashimoto, although re-elected as mayor, fell short of his aim to garner sufficient voter support for his plan to integrate the city with Osaka Prefecture.

Osaka Mayor Toru Hoshimoto has lost his job after the city assembly declined to consent to his resignation. It's another step in a process that will culminate in his running for mayor again March 23, and likely confuse Osaka residents.